Bone Density as a Marker of Response to Radiotherapy in Bone Metastatic Lesions: A Review of the Published Data |
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| Authors: | Vassilis Kouloulias Zoi Liakouli Anna Zygogianni Kyriaki Mystakidou John R Kouvaris |
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| Affiliation: | 12nd Department Radiology, Radiotherapy Unit, Medical School, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, ATTIKON University Hospital, 12462 Athens, Greece;21st Department Radiology, Radiotherapy Unit, Medical School, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieion University Hospital, 11528 Athens, Greece; (Z.L.); (A.Z.); (M.K.); (J.R.K.) |
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| Abstract: | Metastases to the bone are presenting in a great percentage of patients with cancer, causing a variety of symptoms, affecting the quality of life and survival of patients. A multidisciplinary approach from different health providers is required for treatment, including radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and surgeons. The role of radiotherapy in the management of bone metastases has long been established through multiple randomized trials. The estimation of response to the therapy is subjective and is based on the palliation of the symptoms that the patients report. However, a quantification of the tumor burden and response to the treatment with the use of an objective method to measure those parameters is a clinical expectation in oncology. The change in bone density in affected areas (mainly lytic) after local radiotherapy, representing the cellular changes that have occurred, is a promising marker of response to treatment. |
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| Keywords: | bone metastasis radiotherapy bone density |
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